Council first to commit to commercial-scale wind turbine

Oxford City Council has become the first local authority in England and Wales to commit to having a commercial-scale wind turbine on its land.

The council unveiled a potential site and aims to submit a planning application by 2011.

The land, near the Horspath Road Athletics Track, will be subject to detailed environmental and technical investigations before it is formally considered as a potential location.

Environmental campaigners hope the move will prompt other local authorities across England and Wales to follow Oxford's lead.

Martin Kirk, head of Oxfam's UK Campaigns, said: "Climate change is a major threat to people around the world - especially the world's poorest who are most vulnerable, despite being the least responsible.

"We are proud of our close links to Oxford and it is fitting that a city with a heritage of social responsibility and environmental awareness is now leading the way in developing practical solutions to the most serious of threats - climate change."

The turbine will be developed by Partnerships for Renewables, a company established by the Carbon Trust in 2006 to develop renewable energy projects on public sector land.

The city council must now set up a test mast to ascertain whether there is sufficient wind on the site to power a commercial-scale turbine.

Councillor John Tanner said: "Wind turbines are a beautiful way of helping to tackle climate change with renewable energy. This Horspath site is a first for Oxford and a practical contribution to creating a low carbon city."

While the council owns the land, development costs will be covered by Partnerships for Renewables.